Using Mylar in Machine Embroidery

Mylar adds a gorgeous sparkle to certain design types and Bonnie’s Wing Needle Butterflies are a perfect choice! 

Embroidery designs with open stitching are a perfect way to showcase projects with a bit of glitz. The background of Wing Needle Butterflies is stitched with a wing needle, creating holes surrounded by decorative stitching. Add a satin-stitched border and the planets are in perfect alignment.

A Bit About Mylar

Not all mylar is alike. I used an opalescent mylar that I purchased from a quilt shop. It comes in large sheets, is very thin, clear, tears easily away from stitching, and can be laundered. Mylar balloons are not recommended.

Although there are various colors of mylar, the opalescent is preferred as it takes on the colors of the fabric and thread used. The luminescent effect that it produces is quite lovely.

Stitching Wing Needle Butterflies with Mylar

The design may look familiar. It was used in the Kitchen Boa project and is quite lovely as it is. Mylar will just add a bit of shine to the background.

Start by hooping your fabric and stabilizer. Place a sheet of mylar over the stitching area and run a basting stitch to hold it in place. The first color requires a wing needle as it stitches the lovely heirloom background.

When stitching is done, change to a regular needle and trim the mylar close to the edge stitching, just as you would with an applique.

Other open stitching lines, like those inside the wings, allow the mylar to shine through. If you don't want to use a wing needle, Bonnie has another set called Butterfly Bling that works equally well with mylar.

 

Continue stitching the design and enjoy the results!

Debbie Henry
Sew Inspired by Bonnie